Politicians from both the Conservative and Labour parties are laying out plans for what they will do for small businesses, should they get into power at the next general election, at the Federation of Small Businesses’ (FSB) 40th anniversary conference being held in Manchester at the moment. Read more

House prices in the UK were 6.8 per cent higher in January than at the same time in 2013, a faster rate of growth compared with the previous month, which showed a rise of 5.5 per cent, according to official figures out this week. Read more

Although shoppers reined in spending earlier this month, the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) is predicting a recovery for the retail sector in April, particularly with the later timing of Mother’s Day and Easter this year. Read more

Inflation in February fell to 1.7 per cent from 1.9 per cent the previous month and a high of 2.9 per cent in June, taking it to the lowest level since October 2009, according to official figures released today (March 25). Read more

New research shows that the rate of shop closures slowed last year compared with 2012. Year-on-year, the number of net store closures fell by nearly 80 per cent, from 1,779 in 2012 to 371 in 2013. Read more

Business leaders have broadly welcomed yesterday’s Budget as one that will boost investment, exports and regional development and skills, with help for manufacturers high on the Chancellor’s agenda. Read more

In a pre-Budget announcement the Government has announced a new tax break scheme, due to come into force from Autumn 2015, for the working parents of children up to the age of 12 who need to pay for child care. Read more

It was announced this week that the national minimum wage (NMW) will increase for adults by 3 per cent, or 19p an hour, taking it to £6.50, while the rate for 18 to 20-year-olds will rise by 10p to £5.13, an increase of 2 per cent. Read more

With the 2015 election looming, Chancellor George Osborne is coming under increasing pressure from within his own party to make announcements in the Budget that will win the Tories votes, and is being advised that scrapping the 40p rate could be an “iconic pledge”. Read more

According to the latest forecast from the Organisation of Economic Co–operation and Development (OECD), the UK will have the fastest rate of economic growth of any G7 major nation by the middle of the year, with an annualised growth rate forecast of 3.3 per cent. Read more